Wellbeing in China

Partial order methodologies appear as advantageous tools to disclose evaluative trends and developments for time series as, e.g., the fragile states index (FSI). The present study focuses on the variations in the 12 individual indicators of the FSI over the years 2011–2015. The FSI includes in total 178 states and the present study analyzes both the full set of states and a subset comprising only the 28 European Union states. Clear trends are observed. Thus, on a global scale the primary importance of brain drain apparently is turned into group grievance whereas on the European scale the development discloses the increased problems associated with the increasing number of refugees and migrants as well as the declining economic situation in some states. Further the study discloses a series of so-called peculiar states, i.e., states where single indicators values are markedly higher or lower than expected when comparing to the “main stream” of indicator values for the states studied. In all cases the findings were substantiated and verified by available literature.     

Soil-atmosphere exchange of carbon dioxide,methane and nitrous oxide in urban garden systems: impact of irrigation,fertiliser and mulch

Urban green spaces provide important ecosystem services, such as amenity, biodiversity, productivity, climate amelioration, hydrological and biogeochemical cycling. Intensively managed urban gardens can sequester carbon through vegetation growth and soil C increase, but may experience nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions and reduced soil methane (CH₄) uptake from irrigation and fertiliser use. Soil atmosphere exchange of N₂O, CH₄ and carbon dioxide (CO₂) was measured in lawn and wood chip mulched garden areas in Melbourne, Australia in winter, spring and summer under various water and fertiliser regimes. Gas exchange before and after lawn fertiliser application was measured continuously for three weeks using an automated chamber system. Applying fertiliser led to a peak N₂O emission of >60 μg N m⁻² h⁻¹, but overall only weekly irrigation (10 mm) significantly increased mean soil N₂O emissions above that in other treatments. Under mulch, mean soil N₂O emissions (14.0 μg N m⁻² h⁻¹) were significantly smaller than from irrigated lawn (27.9 μg N m⁻² h⁻¹), whereas mean soil CH₄ uptake under mulch (−30.7 μg C m⁻² h⁻¹) was significantly greater (p < 0.01) than in any lawn treatment. Lawns were either a weak CH₄ sink or source. Soil C density (0–25 cm) under mulch (12.5 kg C m⁻²) was greater that under lawn (8.0 kg C m⁻²). On a carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂-e) basis, soil N₂O emissions offset the benefits of soil CH₄ uptake. Mulched garden areas provide greatest C sequestration potential in soil and vegetation and the smallest non-CO₂ emissions, as soil CH₄ uptake offsets a large fraction of soil N₂O emissions. Results of this study suggest that reducing the irrigation and fertiliser application to lawns can help mitigate GHG emissions from urban garden systems, and increasing the area of mulched perennial garden beds can also provide net GHG benefits; however, this needs to be tested in other garden systems with different soil types and environmental conditions.     

Clinicians Play with Mud,and It's the Best Thing for Us: An Interview With Alistair Campbell

Alistair Campbell is Research Editor for the ANZJFT. He is a Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology and Director of the Psychology Clinic at James Cook University in Townsville. He speaks provocatively with Ben Hansen about research and training in family therapy, about accountability to our clients, and about practice.     

The Microstructure of Infants' Gaze as They View Adult Shifts in Overt Attention

We presented infants (5, 6, 9, and 12 months old) with movies in which a female model turned toward and fixated 1 of 2 toys placed on a table. Infants' gaze was measured using a Tobii 1750 eye tracker. Six‐, 9‐, and 12‐month‐olds' first gaze shift from the model's face (after the model started turning) was directed to the attended toy. The 5‐month‐olds performed at random. Following this initial response, 5‐, 6‐, and 9‐month‐olds performed more gaze shifts to the attended target; 12‐month‐olds performed at random. Infants at all ages displayed longer looking times to the attended toy. We discuss a number of explanations for 5‐month‐olds' ability to follow a shift in overt attention by an adult after an initially random response, including the possibility that infants' initial gaze response strengthens the representation of the objects in the peripheral visual field.     

Green roofs are not created equal: the hydrologic and thermal performance of six different extensive green roofs and reflective and non-reflective roofs in a sub-tropical climate

Green roofs have the potential to retain stormwater on the roof surface and lower the thermal loading on buildings. Because of this, the greatest environmental benefits from green roofs might be achieved in subtropical climates characterized by high temperatures and intense rain events. There is, however, little research to support this. In a replicated study in Texas, we compared the performance of six different extensive green roof designs vegetated with native species, to non-reflective (black) roofs, and reflective (white) roofs. Preliminary hydrologic and thermal profile data indicated not only differences between green and non-vegetated roofs, but also among green roof designs. Maximum green roof temperatures were cooler than conventional roofs by 38°C at the roof membrane and 18°C inside air temperature, with little variation among green roofs. Maximum run-off retention was 88% and 44% for medium and large rain events but some green roof types showed very limited retention characteristics. These data demonstrate indicate that: 1. Green roofs can greatly affect the roof temperature profile—cooling surface layers and internal space on warm days. 2. Green roofs can retain significant amounts of rainfall, this is dependent on the size of the rain event and design and can fail if not designed correctly. We suggest that as green roofs vary so much in their design and performance, they must be designed according to specific goals rather than relying on assumed intrinsic attributes.     

论我国民族地区跨越式发展

加快少数民族和民族地区发展,是逐步缩小地区间差距,保持国民经济持续快速健康发展,实现我国现代化第三步战略目标,最终实现共同富裕的要求,是巩固和加强民族团结、保持社会稳定、维护祖国统一的要求,也是各族人民共同的迫切愿望。跨越式发展是少数民族和民族地区加快发展的必然选择。目前,民族地区实施跨越式发展的条件已经基本具备,我们只有高举邓小平理论伟大旗帜,坚决贯彻党的"十六大"精神,认真实践"三个代表"的重要思想,与时俱进,切实落实改革、开放、创新的一系列方针政策,才能全面推进民族地区经济和社会事业的跨越式发展。     

斯密悖论与“能人”现象

斯密以利己心为核心的经济观和以同情心为核心的伦理观,被称为斯密悖论.通过对斯密悖论的伦理解读可以发现企业家精神的伦理层面,既有助于人们认识伦理文化对经济发展的反作用,也有助于中国企业家素质的提高和完善.